Fluid handling – Systems – Multiple inlet with single outlet
Reexamination Certificate
2001-01-24
2002-05-21
Michalsky, Gerald A. (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
Multiple inlet with single outlet
C004S623000, C004S677000, C137S801000, C251S297000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06390125
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Our present invention relates to a valve system, especially for a sanitary fixture, of the type in which a lever-operated valve can be actuated to control the flow through a water outlet, the lever having a detent by which the lever is releasably retained at a certain opening angle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is advantageous with certain sanitary fixtures to provide lever-operated valves which are indexed at a certain point in the opening process with a detent which can be overcome by further movement of the lever, the detent being effective to retain the lever-operated member in an engaged position at a certain opening angle corresponding to a certain flow rate of the valve.
Such a valve system is described, for example, in German open application DE 43 40 713 A1.
With the detent arrangement described in this publication, the user cannot unconsciously move the lever into a maximum opening position and thus there can be conservation of water if only because the user is reminded of the position of the lever when that detent engages. Of course, the detent can be overcome so that if the user desires, the flow rate can be increased and the detent can also be overcome to swing the lever back into the closing position.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved valve system for a water outlet and especially for a single-lever faucet as used for sanitary fixtures in which there can be a further reduction in water consumption and/or an increase in the user comfort with respect to the faucet use.
Another object is to provide an improved lever-operated water control for sanitary fixtures whereby disadvantages of earlier systems can be avoided.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are attained, in accordance with the invention by providing, in the indexed position of the lever, an electronic or electrical control for the water flow so that in this position the water flow can be controlled by a contactless sensor, i.e. a proximity detector, whereas in other angular positions of the lever, the electrical control of the flow rate is cut out.
More particularly, the valve system of the invention can comprise:
a lever-operated valve having a housing provided with a central axis and formed with the water outlet, at least one water inlet communicating with the housing, a valve member in the housing between the inlet and the outlet, and a control lever swingable on the housing along a path about a pivot axis transverse to the central axis;
a detent member in the housing formed with a detent opening along an arcuate path of the lever;
a spring-loaded detent body bearing on the member and engaging in the opening upon displacement of the lever about the pivot axis to a predetermined angular position in opening of the valve; and
electric circuitry responsive to angular displacement of the lever and including:
at least one further valve in series with the lever-operated valve for controlling outflow from the outlet,
an electrical control for the further valve,
a contactless detector operatively connected to the electrical control for maintaining the further valve open for a duration determined by activation of the detector, and
a switch in the housing connected with the control for rendering the detector effective in the predetermined angular position of the lever and rendering the detector ineffective in angular positions of the lever other than the predetermined angular position for control of the outflow by the lever-operated valve without limitation by the further valve.
The contactless detector may respond to any part of the body of the user or to an object and the valve system can be used as a single-lever faucet for a sink or some other fixture. In the case of a sink, the proximity detector may be effective to detect the use of the user whereas the valve system can also be used for a bidet, toilet or other sanitary fixture to respond to other body parts.
According to a feature of the invention, the lever-operated valve may be a single-lever mixing valve which may control the proportions of hot and cold water discharged from the water outlet.
The electrical switch may be aligned with the detent opening and the detent body may be a spring-loaded body like a ball carried by the lever. The ball and its spring can be received in a hollow screw threaded into a threaded bore of the lever. The detent opening, in turn, may be a bore in a hard metal plate along the arcuate path or track of the lever and the ball can ride on that plate. A stainless steel plate is preferred. The switch can have an actuating element coaxial with the detent bore and by means of which the switch can be operated. The front end or region of the detent body or ball can extend through the detent opening and actuate the switch via the actuating element.
Preferably the detent body engages in the detent opening at a position of the lever which corresponds to 50% of the maximum flow rate (flow volume per unit time) of the valve system.
The further valve can be a pilot valve operated by the electrical control and a corresponding pilot valve can be provided for each of the hot and cold water supplies. Preferably a twin pilot valve is provided with the hot and cold valves in a common housing and synchronized for joint operation by the electrical control. A single pilot can be provided for that purpose.
The valve system of the invention thus has an advantage that with relatively simple means, at a desired position of the control lever, usually corresponding to half the maximum flow, the actual outflow of the valve can be controlled by the proximity or contactless detector so that water consumption will then be automatically reduced when the water is not necessary. In the detent position, moreover, the contactless control of the outflow increases the comfort level since actual manipulation of the lever, of course, the outflow is controlled exclusively manually by the lever.
The valve system can therefore be a so-called single-hand mixer which not only regulates the flow rate but also the ratio of mixing of cold and hot water although that can be achieved by other means such as, for example, rotation of a handle. With a single actuating member, both the mixed water temperature and the flow rate per unit time can be controlled and the water outlet regulated by the proximity detector at a given flow rate of the system. Of course the system is also applicable just to control the flow rate in a simple water tap application.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5351347 (1994-10-01), Kunkel
patent: 6003170 (1999-12-01), Humpert et al.
patent: 43 40 713 (1995-06-01), None
Gebhardt Wolfgang
Ludewig Hans-Jürgen
Pawelzik Manfred
Philipps-Liebich Hartwig
Dubno Herbert
Friedrich Grohe AG & Co. KG
Michalsky Gerald A.
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